Athletics Kenya (AK) has been accused of conspiring with agents and coaches to have the controversial athletes Training Camp in Keringet closed for personal benefits.

Jonson Kibet Ngetich accused of sexually molesting female athletes in the camp said there was a deliberate attempt by AK and its conspirators to soil the camp’s name with an objective of taking away athletes from the camp to join other stables.

He dismissed the claims saying the reports were fabrications and aimed at bringing him and the camp down.

“There is someone in the federation who is fighting me and the camp using the federation so that they can have a piece of the prized cherries (athletes) from the camp once its closed down,” said Ngetich.

Ngetich said the scheme was hatched upon the death of the camp’s founder late Kimutai Ngetich who was running it driven by the insatiable desire of the talented athletes training there for their own personal benefits.

He said that he has evidence through recordings of those involved in the scheme of having the camp shut in order to take away the athletes.

Meryline Lasoi a teacher at Winners Girls Seconday School has taken four girls Jackline Chepkoech, Diborah Cherono, Sharon Chepngetich and recently Josphine Wanjiku.

He said there were intentions to move the girls to Nairobi’s Riruta Satellite which gives scholarships to athletes being handled by a local coach and an agent with connections at the AK headquarters.

Ngetich said he will not allow AK and others in the scheme to derail the sweat, good work and legacy left by the late Kimutai to go in vain and will fight to the last straw.

He threatened to sue the local athletics governing body AK for defamation of character and attempted intentions of interfering with lives of young talented athletes from benefiting and growing in the sport.

Ngetich said he is wrongly implicated by being referred to as the camp’s in charge which he denies he has no role in the camp saying that he is still an active athlete but only houses the athletes in his house.

“I stay with three junior athletes World U18 bronze medallist Edinah Jebitok,ViolaChepkirui and Deborah Chemutai whom we are related. How can you molest your relatives or sleep with them?” posed Ngetich.

He said he is an active athlete staying together with his wife Emmy Chepkirui who is also an active athlete and has never been a coach nor physio as AK purports.

He added: “We have our own physiotherapy one Jones Mutai who does massage on us and the three young athletes.”

Athletics Kenya (AK) is investigating a camp in Keringet, Nakuru County over alleged complains over molesting of junior girls training there.

According to the association, investigations are at an advanced stage following complains emanating from the said camp in Nakuru.

The federation has set up an investigation team led by the AK Youth committee Chairman Baranaba ‘Governor’ Korir, AK executive member Elizabeth Keitany and Japheth Kemei the secretary of AK South Rift Branch.

In 2015, former AK President, the late Isaiah Kiplagat, ordered the closure of the Nakuru-based Keringet Camp for what he termed as “manipulating of athletes.

Renowned coach Charles Ng’eno, who ran the camp, was subsequently banned for life by AK

Athletics Kenya senior vice president in-charge of competitions Paul Mutwii has come to defend the athletes saying Kenyan runners train hard and they win fairly when they compete against the world.

Mutwii while speaking to athletics.co.ke said, “Our athletes are clean and they win fairly after putting a lot of efforts in their training”.

Few days ago Rosa Associatti suspended three of their top notch athletes that included ,Paris Marathon champions Purity Rionoripo, Visiline Jepkesho and Tokyo Marathon winner Sarah Chepchirchir due to allegation that they were suspected to have used the banned substance.

Another major reason that the trio were suspended was for suspiciously associating with reigning Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong who is suspected to have doped by using the banned blood booster erythropoietin (EPO).

“I urge our runners that whenever they are sick and seek medical treatment that they first alert the Doctor that they are active runners so that the Doctor is able to treat them without using the banned medicines,” Mutwii concluded.

In 2015 IAAF suspended the then Ak president the late Isaiah Kiplagat, David Okeyo the then Vice president and Joseph Kinyua who was the former treasurer for potential subversion of the Anti-doping control process in Kenya.

The Sports Registrar has been ordered to monitor the forthcoming National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) and Athletics Kenya (AK) elections.

He said both organisations were very important in the sporting industry as NOCK was the umbrella body of sports federation whereas AK is the goose that lays the golden egg.

“There’s need to ensure that the polls are free and fair so that credible leaders who are voted in fairly where the people’s will prevail,” he said.

The Olympics umbrella body will hold its polls on May 5th while for the local governing athletics body is polling on May 13th.

Wario said the polls are under scrutiny and closely being watched by their parent international governing bodies where Kenya may risk sanctions if the elections are not transparent, free and fair.

He said his directive should not be mistaken for interference as it’s in the government’s interest to have fair play prevail adding that they didn’t have a preferred candidate.

The NOCK elections will be overseen by the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) where the prospective candidates are picking their nomination papers from the electoral body.

The AK elections will commence on April 27th at the ward level then proceed to the sub county on May 2nd before proceeding to the county on May 6th to the regional/branch stage on May 9th and culminating with election of national officials on May 13th.

In NOCK, the legendary Hezekiah Kipchoge Keino will be defending his presidency and is expected to get the stiffest opposition ever in the polls at the helm of the local Olympics body from five times World Cross Country champion Paul Tergat.

The AK elections will be held for the first time in 24 years without the departed athletics supremo Isaiah Kiplagat who during his reign wielded a lot influence to determine the office bearers.

Kiplagat’s deputy, Jackson Tuwei who ascended to power after Kiplagat was suspended by the International Associations of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in 2015 will be seeking to get a fresh term as the AK chief where so far, no individual has expressed interest in the presidency as other hopefuls jostle for other positions.

Wario warned those federations which have not complied with Sports Act of deregistration and ordering the Sports Registrar to crack the whip.

“There are no sacred cows in sports and for those who do not comply with Sports Act which is the law should not be spared,” he warned.

Athletics Kenya (AK) has been petitioned to intercede over the extension of suspensions for a further 180 days meted on AK officials by the International Athletics Associations Federation (IAAF).

The local governing body’s affiliate Eastern branch said the move by the IAAF ethics committee was harsh and unfair hence the need for AK to intercede over the matter

“We appeal to AK to impress upon IAAF Ethics board to expedite these cases which in our view is unnecessarily prolonged and that instead of promoting the integrity of the sport as intended it is killing athletics as we are in need of their services,” the branch implored.

The branch’s acting chairman Kithinji Maragara said justice delayed is justice denied and subjecting to the extension of suspensions meted on AK vice president David Okeyo and former treasurer Joseph Kinyua was unfair.

“If the suspension runs its full course will aggregate to one and a half years which is unreasonable to a person who is seeking for justice,” he said.

In a letter addressed to AK President Jackson Tuwei stated that the region was greatly disadvantaged by the absence of their chairman Kinyua whose vacuum is affecting the branch’s operations.

“We feel that the effect of Kinyua’s continued suspension may lead to a serious lag in the development of athletics in the region to its detriment,” read part of the letter.

The branch said that it was happy and glad that Kinyua has been absolved by IAAF of any involvement in doping but noted that an allegation of diversion of funds still remains.

Maragara questioned whether the IAAF Ethics board sought the federation’s position on the extension of the suspensions and on the allegations of funds diversion.

“What is AK’s position over diversion of funds because as at May 16,2014 when Kinyua handed over to the current treasurer David Miano, he had no pending issues and none has been raised by the federation,” he said.

Kithinji posed:”Does the IAAF Ethics board need to undertake another audit of the federation’s books of account which have been audited and approved by the AK supreme organ at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).”

The branch questioned why IAAF Ethics board endevour to investigate a case which was investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in 2015 in which to date no charges have been preferred against the former treasurer.

The suspension of senior Athletics Kenya officials has been extended for a further six months (180 days) to complete investigations.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Ethics Board has extended the suspension of, Vice-president David Okeyo and Eastern AK branch Chairman, Joseph Kinyua for a further 180 days which were initially six months bans each from the sport on November 30, 2015

In June last year the suspensions were extended for six months before being extended for further 180 days in January 2017.

The duo together with the late AK President Isaiah Kiplagat were suspended by the world governing athletics body IAAF for alleged corruption and subverting the anti-doping process.

Sharad Rao was appointed by the IAAF Ethics Board to conduct the investigations.

Suspended former Athletics Kenya (AK) treasurer Joseph Kinyua has been absolved by investigators over allegations of subverting anti-doping processes.

Kinyua who is the AK Eastern branch chairman was absolved by International Athletics Associations Federation (IAAF) appointed chief Investigator Sharad Rao, in his investigations report presented to the world governing body

However, in a confidential letter, Kinyua is not off the hook yet as he still faces the other charge of mismanaging funds from sponsors Nike.

Suspended AK Vice president David Okeyo is facing both charges of doping and funds mismanagement.

Rao who was appointed a year ago to oversee the investigations recently presented his findings to IAAF Ethics Committee to take action. The verdict will be released this month.

On November 30, last year, the IAAF Ethics Commission provisionally suspended the then Athletics Kenya President, the late Isaiah Kiplagat, Okeyo and Kinyua from holding office for 180 days to facilitate investigations into corruption allegations.

The three were under investigation on allegations of siphoning US$500,000 paid to the federation by kit sponsors Nike, soliciting bribes to cover-up positive doping tests

The suspension was however extended in June this year at the request of Rao who was appointed by the IAAF Ethics Board to conduct the investigations.

With those charges dropped, it means Kinyua gets a reprieve as he will not face prosecution for being involved or promoting doping.

President Uhuru Kenyatta signed into law the anti doping bill some individuals have been arraigned in court to face charges related to doping.

AK chief executive, Isaac Mwangi, was also provisionally suspended by the IAAF’s ethics board for 180 days over a potential subversion of the anti-doping process.

Mwangi is suspended pending investigations into allegations he asked for a bribe to reduce the doping bans of two athletes.

Sprinters Joyce Sakari and Francesa Koki alleged the CEO asked them for $24,000 (Sh2.5m) each to reduce their suspensions after they failed doping tests at the Beijing World Championships last year and after failing to pay up, they were each slapped with four year bans.

Isaiah ‘Fundi’ Kiplagat was loved and hated in equal measures during his 40-year old reign at Athletics Kenya headquarters-Riadha House.

Kiplagat who died on Wednesday morning in his Nairobi’s Karen home was faced with serious criticism from inside and out of the federation during his ‘last reign’ in office.

In 2014/2015 Athletics Kenya was split into two halves- those supporting Kiplagat and those against his way of leadership with the later calling for his resignation.

Western region chairman Francis Afundi was one of his serious critics in his tenure.

Afundi on his protest said “We will come here at Riadha house with a wheelbarrow to carry you (Kiplagat) out of office.”

But after his death, Afundi said that was part of politics where, if there is something wrong, you have to say it the way it is.

“It doesn’t matter what I said those days because something was wrong that we needed change. Talking like that does not mean we were enemies. We only disagreed on some issues but we still dined together. Just like in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies but difference in opinion,” said Afundi who condoled the family as Western Athletics Kenya leader.

He confirmed that there was no person who entered A.K office without the help of Kiplagat.

“Even if I was his critic, I entered that office through his support. It is through his blessings that I am in that office. So we were friends and I will uphold our friendship to the later,” said Afundi.

Afundi added that despite having many challenges in his tenure, he did much that no Kenyan sports federation has done in the country. “He really contributed a lot to the welfare of athletes and athletics family in this Country.”

Former marathoner Moses Tanui was the man behind change in athletics management.

The former Olympics silver medalist differed with Kiplagat publicly but had to condole with the family.

“I want to give my condolences to the family and athletes in this nation,” condoled Tanui.

The man who announced to capture the Riadha House management was on point that despite the mess-ups in the athletics management, he did what others had failed to do.

“One thing he did that I can remember is that he built athletics office, which is a plus in his life. The athletics headquarters has helped many athletes to access services with ease compared to other federations in the country,” said Tanui.

But marathon runner Abraham Chelang’a it was bad for the man to die early without witnessing the change athletes were going to make when they will take over that office.

Chelang’a, a member of Professional Athletics Association of Kenya (PAAK) said he is fully in opposition against A.K but sometimes people die at a wrong time.

“ In my entire life, I wish Kiplagat was alive to see the change that new generation will bring in athletics management led by athletes themselves. I personally wanted him to see how retired athletes can lead themselves and the athletics federation in the country,” said Chelang’a adding that he never enjoyed the tenure of Kiplagat at Ridha House.

Isaiah Kiplagat was born Nov 12th 1944 and brought up in a humble background in Nandi, Rift Valley. He was a village boy who grew up herding cattle.

He schooled at Kapsabet High School School, went abroad to study management and when he came back he got a job and worked as Nairobi council worker thereafter joining Athletics.

Kiplagat, who took over Kenya Amateur Athletics Association (KAAA), now AK, as chairman in 1992, ploughed the federation from a non-profit making entity to the richest sports body in the country.

2016 went down as the year in which sweeping changes happened at Riadha House. Kiplagat, who had served both locally and internationally for four decades, left the scene under controversial circumstances.

In November last year, Kiplagat alongside two other AK officials David Okeyo and former treasurer Joseph Kinyua were suspended by the IAAF Ethics Board for 180 days after being accused of subverting anti-doping processes and potentially diverting sponsorship funds from Nike.

Kiplagat was also accused of accepting, either personally or on behalf of Athletics Kenya, an “apparent gift” of two motor vehicles from the Qatar Association of Athletics Federations in the period from 2014 to 2015, a time Doha was bidding to host the 2019 world championships.

In May this year, the suspension of the trio was extended for a further 180 days to allow completion of investigations.

Before coming back to Athletics Kenya he worked as the managing director of Posta Bank before he was re-elected into the IAAF’S council.

By the time of his unceremonious and controversial departure last year, AK had Sh130 million in cash and almost Sh1 billion in fixed assets that include the AK headquarters, Riadha House.

Kiplagat passed on while still under investigation alongside three other former AK officials by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Ethics Commission.

Kiplagat, Okeyo and Kinyua were suspended for six months in November last year for their alleged involvement in graft and subversion in anti-doping control in Kenya.

That suspension was extended for another six months in June this year to enable Sharad Rao, who is investigation the officials, more time.

Retired athletes have endorsed runner-turned golfer Moses Tanui to ascend to the top Athletics Kenya leadership.

Tanui cited the current AK leadership having failed to address the plights of athletes saying it doesn’t have the interest of athletes at heart.

Addressing journalists in Eldoret, Tanui said the athletic federation and National Olympic Committee if Kenya has failed in managing athlete’s affairs.

He cited the current athlete’s kit scandal and skewed team selection. “AK has failed in its leadership because many challenges facing athletes have not been addressed.

During international championships, they reward their cronies with trips at the expense of athletes apart from misappropriation of funds,” Tanui said.

“You heard how athletes complained of lack of training gear supplied to Nock by Nike which it is believes to have been diverted by the selfish officials,” He added.

While saying that it is time for the athletes to lead the federation, he said the athletes have the administration capacity and not only on the track.

“In our midst we have professional athletes who have studied different management skills and they are suitable for the position in order to address the challenges facing them because they understand,” said Tanui.

He said the Athletics Kenya elections have not been conducted since the current top leadership is being held on an acting capacity. But he wants the current constitution to be inclusive and give athletes voting rights.

“I have offered myself for the position. Recently some officials changed the AK constitution to suit them without involving the relevant stakeholders. We want to amend it and go for elections,” Tanui said.

According to former 5000m world champion Yobes Ondieki, it is high time athletes take over the federation.

“We are surprised that even the sports minister is complaining that he is a victim of the Athlete’s poor management, and then who shall we complain to. He should relinquish his position too,” Ondieki said.

Athletics Kenya president Isaiah Kiplagat and David Okeyo are currently on suspension following the misappropriation of funds allegations.

“The current leadership took over from the old one and since they were in the same system and we have many challenges come up, they should quit because we want our own that is capable to lead us,” Ondieki explained.

The year 1987 All Africa Games 10,000m gold medallist Leah Malot said they are tired of answering questions from Kenyans over lack of good leadership in athletic circles.

“Imagine Kenyans have been blaming us on what we are doing in athletes. They think we are the one on the management ,” She said.

Former 3000m steeplechase record holder Wilson Boit wants the government to immediately probe the circus around the Rio Olympics.

He said the AK and Nock officials should step aside pending investigations. “How long can we complain yet we have the capability to lead. We want the amendment of the AK constitution before we go for the elections,” Boit said.

Several active and retired athletes at the briefing also called for new leadership in the two sports bodies.